Skateboarding record attempt to aid stroke charity

A teenage skateboarder is hoping to break the John O’Groat’s to Land’s End skateboarding record this summer in an attempt to raise awareness of the dangers of strokes among young people after a close friend nearly died from one at the age of 15.

Ben Stiff, 18, of Ipswich, will set off from John O’Groat’s tomorrow to raise money for Corda, a charity that works to prevent strokes and heart disease, and hopes to shave seven days off the current record of 34 days.

In 2007, Ben’s friend Sophie St Ledger suffered a stroke. “For someone younger than me to have a stroke was pretty shocking. We thought strokes were something that happened to people in their sixties,” said Ben.

Sophie has since made a full recovery but Ben wants to raise awareness among other young people.

He aims to skateboard up to 40 miles a day and will be accompanied by friends and family. Nights will be spent at various campsites en route and several Rotary clubs have promised food and lodgings.